Read this http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

Recovery is not to be taken lightly. This past weekend I saw someone be nearly killed when he was being pulled out of a mud hole. I have had winch cables snap on my ATV that have taken out headlights, and other stuff. This is not something to jump into blindly. You will get yourself hurt and others. Take the time, read what everyone here has posted, and for godsakes listen to the people on this forum. Most if not all know what they are talking about. Just my rant for the day, sorry if I come off as being a dick, but from what I have seen and read, this is not something to fool around with. And by your previous posts, it doesn't look like you think a whole lot of things through.

END RANT
Now what I think,

A hitch will be fine, The breaking strength is different than the towing strength. I have been pulled out too many time to count by both my front tow hooks, and my hitch in the rear. There has been a couple of times where i have been up passed my rocker panels in SOLID clay and mud. No water just pure mud. There has never been anything bent or broken. This is using a tow strap, and being "jerked" out. This is alot more force than a 5000 lb hitch. I have heard that it is about 3-4 times more force when jerking people out of muck. And I have never had one problem.

Peace

 

reading thrue this whole post, I think I would forget the winch, and spend the money on a set of tires, if you slid down a hill on a gravel parking lot and get stuck in a playground tires make more sense then a winch.

for now spend 60 bucks and get a hand operated come along and forget the winch.

the 2K or 3K winch you were looking at, perfect choice for the truck, if mounted in the box to pull a sled or something into it, remember the winch can be removed and transfered to another truck, save the money and just buy a 8K or better, watch for sales and read how to use a winch properly they can kill if misused or treated without the respect they need.

and Yes i know you like to be informed, I am the same way but listen to these guys, there nuts they go mudding and rock climbing in places I would never have thought a truck could get too. but please dont go cheap, you will just end up buying it twice and in the long run spend more money.

 

im not trying to take this lightly. thats why im bugging everyone thats helped me out so much with all of my noob questions. and i have been listening to the good people. all i really want to know is my options. it is true that i dont think a lot of things through...you got me there, but thats why im trying to know everything i can do, before i do it.

i have decided that im going to go with the 8k winch, and the class
3 hitch. along with a winch mount that i will post when i get home, (i have the page saved on my mac, but im at school right now)

good looks on the website By the way.

 

The only advice I can give you, is to read read read. There is alot of info all over the web concerning winching and recovery. IMO I don't see the point of getting a winch and still have street tires on.

A good set of mud terrains, or even AT's go a long way. Why not save your money, and get a set? I guarantee that you will be using your winch alot less with a better set of tires on there. A set will cost you what? 750-800? what will the winch cost you? 600-700? with your winch, hitch, wiring, winch mount?

Just giving you your options here. I personally would get a lift, tires etc before getting a winch. You will do alot less damage to your ride, go more places, and probably have alot more fun than if you remained stock.

 

would the tires be changeable with the tires on our explorer?

 

What size of tire is on the explorer? The rims are interchangeable, but you have to look out for the size. It might cause some rubbage

 

the explorer is definitely a lot bigger. i dont think that they would fit. but ill get it checked out by someone who knows a lot more about me about tires.

if it ends up that i cant change out the tires, im going to have to go with a winch. just cause i would be able to take it off and put it on any car with a hitch.

if they do fit, ill really consider it.

 

www.seriousexplorations.com ALL the Ex info you will EVER need to know!

Ranger/Ex tires...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...splay.php?f=11

 

question. cause i only have 2WD. couldnt i just get 2 BFG A/T's cause thats all that the truck would be using? in the back anyways. i know it would look so unbelievably stupid, but i wouldnt care. its not like the front tires would be doing anything if i was stuck in the mud.

 

PS: not saying thats what im going to do. just wondering if i could.

 

i went to the tire store today, and asked him if he had some A/Ts... and he looked at me and said, if i got bigger tires, without getting new rims, it could really mess up my suspension. is he right? or an idiot?

 

What size? Most likely he is an idiot.

 

size of tire? or rim?

 

Both

 

how do i measure this?

ive never done it.

 

would it just be on the internet? i mean its a 94' stock truck?

 

You either have 14" rims or 15" rims. Look on your tire and find out what the numbers are.

Maybe something like 235/70/15. Thats what my stock ones were.

 

okay, ill do that when its light out.

did you get new rims too? or just the tires?

 

Currently I have different rims and tires. With 6" of lift. But I ran my stock wheels with 1.5" lift and 33's.

 

seeing how i only have 2wd. whats the point of having 4 A/Ts im thinking about just rocking the 2 A/T in the back, and the 2 bfg radial t/a in the front(Thats what i have now, 4 of them) , when i need re- rotate my tires. and when i have to get rid of the BFG Radial T/A ( there like street tires), ill get 2 more BFG A/T

so it would look goofy with 2 BFG A/Ts. in the back, and 2 street tires in the front. till the treds have to be replaced.

and im thinking it looks a lot more badass with out a lift. what do you think?

and after all of that, then get the winch put on.

 

actually sike.

i would get the winch first, and have daddy pay for the tires.

 

Get 4 of the same tires.

 

it would just look too goofy?

i guess i could get my dad to pay for 2, and i pay for 2.

but this would only go down if i could use the same rims as i have now? did you have any trouble when you ran your 33's?

and do you HAVE to lift it in order to do that?

ps: thanks a lot for putting up with me. i know im hard to get through to. me and my damn LD's

 

Stock rims will work. The biggest size tire you could put on without rubbing is a 30". So 30x10.5x15 (if you have 15's) would be fine. No problems mounting them.

I had my stock rims (7") on 33x12.5x15 tires and they were fine.

 

and if i have 14's? same deal?

does anyone know if they make all terrane that comes in 30x10.5x15?

could you bother to explain to me what the numbers mean?